Ryan Murphy's latest venture into the darkest corners of American true crime has landed with a thud, according to The Guardian's damning assessment of Monster: The Ed Gein Story. The series, starring Charlie Hunnam as the infamous Wisconsin murderer, stands accused of revelling in depravity without redemption or purpose.
A Legacy of Horror Exploited
The review suggests Murphy's production fails to learn from the subtlety of classic horror films that drew inspiration from Gein, such as Psycho and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Instead, the series allegedly opts for graphic sensationalism, transforming real-life tragedy into what critics call empty spectacle.
Charlie Hunnam's Questionable Casting
Despite Hunnam's committed physical transformation, the performance is described as lacking depth, reducing Gein to a collection of tics and mannerisms rather than exploring the complex psychology behind his crimes. The review questions whether any actor could salvage material that appears more interested in shock value than substance.
The True Crime Dilemma
This criticism arrives amidst growing concern about the ethics of true crime entertainment. The Guardian's review positions Murphy's series as a prime example of the genre at its most exploitative, raising questions about where documentary ends and depravity-loving entertainment begins.
Unforgivable Television?
The most scathing indictment comes in the conclusion that the series is unforgivable not for its horrific content, but for its failure to justify its own existence. Without meaningful commentary or artistic merit, the review suggests Monster: The Ed Gein Story represents true crime television at its most unnecessary and problematic.
